
Krishnamacharya on Ku??alini
The Origins and Coherence of His Position
Simon Atkinson(Author)
Equinox Publishing Ltd
Published on 10. May 2022
Book
Paperback/Softback
262 pages
978-1-80050-152-2 (ISBN)
Description
Krishnamacharya on Kundalini explores a distinctive teaching of 'the father of modern yoga', T. Krishnamacharya. Whereas most yoga traditions teach that kundalini is a serpentine energy that rises, Krishnamacharya defined it differently. To him, kundalini is a serpentine blockage which prevents prana (breath or life-force) from rising and which represents avidya (spiritual ignorance). Simon Atkinson draws from over 20 years of study and practice under teachers following Krishnamacharya. He combines analysis of quotations from yoga workshops with a detailed study of traditional Sanskrit texts. He traces the textual origins of Krishnamacharya's position to two sects of Visnu-worshiping temple priests, and shows how it is compatible with a stream of South Asian thought where snakes represent something to be overcome. Atkinson challenges claims that Krishnamacharya's position can be found in his religious tradition of Srivaisnavism. He questions the tradition's reliance on textual sources, showing how the coherence of Krishnamacharya's position can only be maintained by employing elaborate arguments and rejecting texts that teach otherwise. Atkinson also explores how Krishnamacharya's teaching on kundalini influences how yoga is practised. He argues that Krishnamacharya's position is best viewed as a model for experience that guides practice.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Illustrations
11 photos and figures, colour and black and white
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
599 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-80050-152-2 (9781800501522)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Simon Atkinson has been practising and studying yoga in the broad tradition following Krishnamacharya since the 1990s and has been learning Sanskrit since 2001. He teaches academic English and academic skills at the University of Cambridge.
Content
Preface
1. Introduction
2. The Yogayajnavalkya - Krishnamacharya's Main Source on Ku??alini
3. Ku??alini in Other Vai??ava Texts
4. A Union of Yoga-s - Linking Ha?hayoga and Patanjali via Ku??alini
5. The Symbolism of Serpents
6. Ku??alini in Srivai??avism
7. Discussion and Conclusion
Appendix - Dating the Yogayajnavalkya and Related Texts
Glossary
1. Introduction
2. The Yogayajnavalkya - Krishnamacharya's Main Source on Ku??alini
3. Ku??alini in Other Vai??ava Texts
4. A Union of Yoga-s - Linking Ha?hayoga and Patanjali via Ku??alini
5. The Symbolism of Serpents
6. Ku??alini in Srivai??avism
7. Discussion and Conclusion
Appendix - Dating the Yogayajnavalkya and Related Texts
Glossary